Tetanus vaccination
What is it?
Tetanus is a bacterial infection that is caused by contamination of a puncture wound. The specific bacteria that causes tetanus can be found all around – in soil, dust in your house, or animal and human waste.
Though it’s most common with puncture wounds, serious burns also allow the bacteria to enter the body, from which point it will produce a neurotoxin that disrupts the central nervous system.
Countries at risk
There is a risk of tetanus all over the world, but the areas most at risk are countries without suitable vaccination programmes, like certain South American and African nations, as well as China and India.
Travel precautions
When travelling outside of Europe, our recommendations for vaccines include Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and the DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Polio) vaccines. If you expect to be visiting the developing world frequently or for a prolonged period, it’s also worth considering the Hepatitis B and Cholera vaccines.
The vaccine for Cholera (Dukoral) is very important when visiting rural areas in developing nations, as it massively reduces your risk of traveller’s diarrhoea, caused by E coli. Dukoral is actually an oral vaccine, taken in two doses with a week in between.
You’ve likely heard of tetanus through its common association with rusty nails, as this is the most common way for a puncture wound to get infected, allowing the bacteria in. Even if you’re vaccinated, you should seek immediate medical attention in any instances like this, especially when travelling abroad.
Signs and symptoms
Tetanus symptoms are insidious, taking up to three weeks to reveal themselves, and the most common indicators are muscle stiffness in the jaw (lockjaw), shortly followed by the neck muscles and then down to the limbs.
The vaccination
The UK’s childhood vaccination programme includes inoculation against Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Polio, and boosters are recommended every 10 years, especially when travelling abroad to higher risk areas.
Availability
You can visit us in store whenever convenient to enquire about services or make bookings. If it’s easier, you can phone us or visit your nearest branch’s page online to place an order or make enquiries.
